Water Saving Tips In A Disaster

This article was kindly written for Prepper Bits readers by James Walton who is the author of Come Unity; Community and the host of the I AM Liberty Show. In this article James talks about Water saving tips in a disaster.

Water Saving Tips in a Disaster

One gallon of water weighs 6lbs. That’s not so bad, right?

Now let’s talk about a weeks’ worth of water for a family of four. You would want to have at least one gallon of water per day for each person. Now, the weight changes substantially. You are looking at 168lbs of water. The footprint for that much water is impressive as well.

Thanks to some great innovations in the disaster preparedness world as well as the efforts to make clean water available for the third world, water storage conditions are getting better. Amazing things like water blocks give you the ability to better utilize your home space as well.

There is one method for water storage that takes up no storage space and weighs nothing. There are a few secrets that can lighten the load on your water storage during a disaster.

Hydration

To keep your body working properly you will want the majority of your water to be used for this purpose. Your body’s health is your number one prep.

Cooking

If your long-term food storage plan involves anything dried you are going to need clean water to rehydrate that food. It’s very important to keep this in mind for your water storage goals.

Hygiene

The cleaning of the human body is not only necessary for the health of your body but will keep the spread of disease down as well. Following a disaster safety and sanitation will suffer and if you are not thorough in how you clean your home and your body you could get sick or get those around you sick.

Cleaning

When the water finally recedes after a hurricane or the storm rolls through and takes with it the water and the power you must still clean your home. There will be likely more cleaning to do than normal. This will also require water.

Processing

If you lost water for an extended period of time you may begin some sort of processing. This could be canning foods, creating homemade soap, processing game meats and it will all take water.

USE WATER SAVING TECHNIQUES TO STRETCH YOUR WATER STORAGE

Waterless Hygiene Solution

You may think that personal hygiene requires lots of water. In a short-term disaster there are options that require no water at all! This doesn’t involve harsh alcohol based wipes that will dry out your skin and give you problems down the line.

Are you familiar with colloidal silver? There is a product called Combat One that is a completely waterless hygiene system. It utilizes colloidal silver to fight bacteria and a formula that enhances your skins natural protection. Combat One can be your total solution for hygiene, particularly in a short-term disaster.

Food Storage

Long term dry food storage is a wonderful thing to have on hand. I say it is necessary. Of course, that doesn’t mean it is your only option. Though canned foods are full of sodium and off tastes and colors they are ready to eat when you open them up. You needn’t sacrifice any precious water on them.

I think a balance of ready to eat foods as well as long term dry foods is the best way to set up your pantry. Be sure that you have plenty of food on hand that does not require you use water to rehydrate. We can never be sure how a disaster will affect our water supply.

Water Collection

Never forget that the stuff comes out of the sky. If you have no way to collect, that’s shame on you. Some sort of water collection system will allow you to replenish water stores over time. One traditional rain barrel holds 55 gallons of water. Now, look above at what you need to survive a week. Tell me that doesn’t add up in your favor.

Grey Water

If you are on any type of water restrictions, why would you clean your floor or your bathroom with drinking water? Capturing grey water is essential to saving water during a disaster. Water used to wash clothes, wash hands or even bath water can be reused. Dilute bleach using this water and get the place nice and clean. Remember, bacteria and infection are very common during a disaster.

Capture your grey water using a 5-gallon bucket and placing it under a removed section of pipe under your sink. Bail water from the tub for use.

Water Saving Tips In A Disaster Summary

Water is life. There is no getting around it. You have a good three days without it. Don’t forget if you drink contaminated water it can lead to dehydration as well. So, make sure you use your water wisely and do save only the safest water for consumption and cooking.

Water Saving Tips In A Disaster Guest Post Thanks

James Walton is the author of Come Unity; Community and the host of the I AM Liberty Show. He is also a freelance writer writing for survival and outdoor publications and blogs.

A big thanks to James for taking the time to write this guest post giving his thoughts on water saving tips in a disaster. Recently James wrote a guest article for us entitled How Tech Is Expanding The Prepper World which is well worth a read.

GDAC Alerts

Courtesy of GDACS cooperation framework between the United Nations, European Commission & disaster managers worldwide to improve alerts & information exchange in the first phase after major sudden-onset disasters. www.gdacs.org